Female DOTA2 host Aigera from the Eastern European region and her counterpart NatTea from the Western European region recently appeared in an interview with Tundra Esports, sharing their experiences as women in esports.
About How They Got into DOTA2:
Aigera:
There’s actually a story behind it. When I was a teenager, my brother told me girls couldn’t play DOTA, but I proved him wrong.
NatTea:
This was a long time ago. I was in university when a friend recommended DOTA2 to me, and I had no idea what it was, but I thought it was a good way to keep me from running around too much.
About Challenges in the Esports Industry:
Aigera:
Yes, of course (there are challenges). I’m afraid of not handling things well and disappointing people, which affects my self-esteem. That’s why when I face difficulties, I try my best to overcome them. I’m working on building my confidence, and the most important thing is not being afraid of making mistakes and moving forward positively.
NatTea:
Yes, there are definitely challenges. I don’t know if I should say this, but hosting can be very time-consuming. When you’re hosting four BO3s a day, each lasting three games, you end up working over 12 hours a day. It was so exhausting that when I first started, I would cry at night. I even felt like it was the worst job I’ve ever had because I was always working and felt isolated.
Are Women Faced with More Difficulties in Esports?
Aigera:
I don’t think so, just that there are fewer girls. Some might be scared or less inclined to showcase themselves. I believe it largely depends on one’s personality.
NatTea:
I feel like girls have to prove themselves more. In esports, there’s a tendency to prefer male commentators or hosts, as the majority of the audience is male. Girls need to work twice as hard to make their presence known in the field.
Bio: Aigera, a Kazakhstani host born in December 1996, began her professional DOTA2 casting career in 2023. She has hosted events including but not limited to: Eastern European DPC Leagues, DreamLeague S19-S22, ESL One Kuala Lumpur, and the Riyadh Masters 2023.
Bio: NatTea, an Australian host born in October 1996, started her DOTA2 casting career in 2021. She has hosted events such as TI10, Eastern European DPC League (English stream), Southeast Asian DPC League (English stream), Chinese DPC League (English stream), Western European DPC League, TI11, TI12, and the Dubai BB Villa Cup 2024.
